butler

noun

but·​ler ˈbət-lər 

1

: a manservant having charge of the wines and liquors

2

: the chief male servant of a household who has charge of other employees, receives guests, directs the serving of meals, and performs various personal services

Examples of butler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Google today announced Gemini 2, a new version of its flagship AI model that has been trained to plan and execute tasks on a user’s computers and the web, and which can chat like a person and make sense of the physical world as a virtual butler. —Will Knight, WIRED, 11 Dec. 2024

The Royal Mansion, spanning the top floor, offers the ultimate in opulence with its own infinity pool and dedicated team of butlers. —Joe Niehaus, Travel + Leisure, 9 Dec. 2024

In addition, guests can request dedicated butler service to unpack or pack two items per person during the duration of the stay and a one-way transfer to or from the airport or main train stations. —Julianna Bragg, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024

Plus, every stateroom aboard Scenic's ship comes with private butler service to ensure the journey is truly stress-free. —Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English buteler, from Anglo-French butiller, from Old French botele bottle — more at bottle

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing butler

• butler's pantry
• silent butler

Kids Definition

butler

noun

but·​ler ˈbət-lər 

: a chief male household servant

Etymology

Middle English buteler "household servant in charge of wines," from early French butiller (same meaning), from botele "bottle," derived from Latin buttis "cask"

Biographical Definition

Butler 1 of 5

biographical name (1)

But·​ler ˈbət-lər 

Benjamin Franklin 1818–1893 American general and politician

Butler

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biographical name (2)

Joseph 1692–1752 English theologian

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biographical name (3)

Nicholas Murray 1862–1947 American educator; president Columbia University (1901–45)

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biographical name (4)

Samuel 1612–1680 English satirical poet

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biographical name (5)

Samuel 1835–1902 English novelist and satirist